364 days since his hat-trick against Italy, the Ulster winger blazed in another treble.
Ulster needed a pick-me-up after their recent issues on and off the pitch, and Craig Gilroy provided three.
Jono Gibbes’ side flaked a quite woeful Southern Kings side 59-10 and Gilroy was at the heart of most of their best attacks.
With Les Kiss departing as director of rugby, Stephen Donald’s move falling through and the province eliminated from the Champions Cup, Ulster is at a low ebb. What they do possess, however, is an array of backline talent.
Johnny McPhillips impressed on his full debut, at No.10, Stuart McCloskey enjoyed himself, and Rob Lyttle was lively. Gilroy was a class apart, however.
He had the ball in his paws on 24 occasions, carrying 15 times and making 109 metres for his side. There was also the small matter of is hat-trick scored between the 7th and 57th minute:
HAT-TRICK ??? Tip of the cap to Craig Gilroy who crosses over for a third time for @UlsterRugby​ this evening!
? Watch live now ? @BBCSportNI​ & @BBCAlba​#ULSvKIN#GUINNESSPRO14 pic.twitter.com/rlqduOCkvs
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) February 9, 2018
Gilroy’s last hat-trick was scored in the green of Ireland. On February 11, in last year’s Six Nations, he came on as a second half sub against Italy and ran in three super scores.
Ireland boss Joe Schmidt was not exactly flowing in his post-match praise of Gilroy, however. He missed out on the summer tours to America and Japan, the November Series and a busted cheekbone prevented a call-up for the opening rounds of the 2018 Six Nations.
Schmidt did flag him as a potential winger to come into his Six Nations squads, last November, so the 26-year-old is doing all he can in the PRO14 shop window.
His three tries made in nine in nine appearances for Ulster this season. Gilroy has five tries in 10 Test appearances for Ireland, but also ran in a hat-trick in an unsanctioned ‘Test’ against Fiji at Thomond Park in 2013.
The match at Kingspan Stadium also marked the first PRO14 match reffed by a woman – former Ireland international Joy Neville.
Also in Friday’s PRO14 action, Leinster lost in Edinburgh while Connacht defeated Ospreys in Galway.
